Page - 268 - in The Complete Plato
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Yes.
And one thing is done by temperance, and quite another thing by folly?
Yes.
And in opposite ways?
Certainly.
And therefore by opposites:—then folly is the opposite of temperance?
Clearly.
And do you remember that folly has already been acknowledged by us to
be the opposite of wisdom?
He assented.
And we said that everything has only one opposite?
Yes.
Then, Protagoras, which of the two assertions shall we renounce? One says
that everything has but one opposite; the other that wisdom is distinct from
temperance, and that both of them are parts of virtue; and that they are not
only distinct, but dissimilar, both in themselves and in their functions, like the
parts of a face. Which of these two assertions shall we renounce? For both of
them together are certainly not in harmony; they do not accord or agree: for
how can they be said to agree if everything is assumed to have only one
opposite and not more than one, and yet folly, which is one, has clearly the
two opposites—wisdom and temperance? Is not that true, Protagoras? What
else would you say?
He assented, but with great reluctance.
Then temperance and wisdom are the same, as before justice and holiness
appeared to us to be nearly the same. And now, Protagoras, I said, we must
finish the enquiry, and not faint. Do you think that an unjust man can be
temperate in his injustice?
I should be ashamed, Socrates, he said, to acknowledge this, which
nevertheless many may be found to assert.
And shall I argue with them or with you? I replied.
I would rather, he said, that you should argue with the many first, if you
will.
Whichever you please, if you will only answer me and say whether you are
of their opinion or not. My object is to test the validity of the argument; and
268
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book The Complete Plato"
The Complete Plato
- Title
- The Complete Plato
- Author
- Plato
- Date
- ~347 B.C.
- Language
- English
- License
- PD
- Size
- 21.0 x 29.7 cm
- Pages
- 1612
- Keywords
- Philosophy, Antique, Philosophie, Antike, Dialogues, Metaphysik, Metaphysics, Ideologie, Ideology, Englisch
- Categories
- Geisteswissenschaften
- International